Who Framed Roger Rabbit Discussion

[musicradio77]

I also found another great commercial from X-Entertainment regarding a McDonald's Halloween gift certificates with a free VHS tape entitled "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Matt was saying it on X-E's website:

The version of the certificates seen in the commercial I've been haphazardly including pictures of is likely from 1989; the ad allocates more time to propping up McDonald's's's Roger Rabbit campaign than to anything spooky, but at least they've given the kids the kind of costumes only a multimillion dollar promo budget could afford. That year, a buck bought you ten certificates, but they were only good for ice cream. Lame.

So, the Roger Rabbit thing wenta like dees: By purchasing a book of stamps, I mean McDonald's Halloween gift certificates, you'd also get a form to send in for a free Roger Rabbit plush doll...assuming you had a receipt from when you bought the movie on VHS. Oh, those smart, sneaky bastards. The plush doll seemed unsuited for even a gas station-side quarter-fed claw machine, making fuzzy dice look like porcelain Dalmatians by comparison. Not to nitpick.

We mentioned before about the McDonald's "Cinderella" holiday promotion from 1987, let's watch this great clip from 1989:

McDonald's Halloween Commercial with a Free VHS Tape of "Roger Rabbit"

[Fidget1234]

I dont remember that commercial.

However I know u can still purchase Roger & Jessica Rabbit costumes on disneydirect.com

That would be a cute idea for costumes for a couple of lovebirds.

[Roger Rabbit]

Charles Fleischer looked better as Roger Rabbit than those two did. You can see Fleischer dressed in a rabbit suit as he read his lines on the set (Vista dvd extra).

As for the little thing they're giving away, all I can say is "yikes". Looks like some of the stuff I see on ebay that I wouldn't buy.

[Kenai]

For the animated scenes, where was that done at? Was all that done at Disney studios or at Warner? I'm confused since I'm not sure Warner would like their characters animated by Disney. I don't wanna try IMDB since that's not a good enough source.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

It all can be found on the 2-Disc set!

All of the animated parts were animated at the Disney Animation studios, then later shipped to ILM to add shadow effects.

Now did animators from Warner Brothers animate Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny AT the Disney studios? Not 100% sure, but I know Disney got those trademarks rights to use ONLY for that film, so I'm pretty sure Disney animators drew those characters, along with the other non-Disney characters, as well.

[Poppins#1]

Now did animators from Warner Brothers animate Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny AT the Disney studios?

You make it sound like Warner Brothers was still actively making cartoons in 1988.

The Animation in Roger Rabbit was done by the Richard Williams animation studio in England.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

You make it sound like Warner Brothers was still actively making cartoons in 1988.

The Animation in Roger Rabbit was done by the Richard Williams animation studio in England.

Well, even though they still didn't make much(if any) Loony Tunes shorts in the 80's, they still could be very much alive to animate them.

Besides, even if they were completely retired, I'm pretty sure there were/are people at Warner Brothers who can draw well.

Anyway, to answer Kenai's question, it was animated by Disney.

[BATBfan1]

I've always wonder this myself. I guess I should pop in my DVD and watch the Extras.

[Kenai]

You make it sound like Warner Brothers was still actively making cartoons in 1988.

The Animation in Roger Rabbit was done by the Richard Williams animation studio in England.

Well, even though they still didn't make much(if any) Loony Tunes shorts in the 80's, they still could be very much alive to animate them.

Besides, even if they were completely retired, I'm pretty sure there were/are people at Warner Brothers who can draw well.

Anyway, to answer Kenai's question, it was animated by Disney.

Ah, thanks all ^_^. Interesting....so is this Williams studio still open? Is it Disney owned?

[Poppins#1]

Interesting....so is this Williams studio still open? Is it Disney owned?

Richard Williams is apparently retired. He hasn't done anything since "The Thief and the Cobbler" in 1995. Here a link to what he's done courtesy of Internet Movie Database.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0931530/

[Roger Rabbit]

Darn....missed the opportunity.

Poppins got it...Richard Williams was largely in charge of directing the animation, but there was a collaboration between his setup in England, Disney in America, and Lucas' ILM for all the effects. Gotta love Jessica's dress in the nightclub.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

He hasn't done anything since "The Thief and the Cobbler" in 1995.

I think it was some thirty years in the making...

[Big Disney Fan]

The whole article can be found here: http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2006/08/30/5534.aspx.

Some movie buffs had been bothered by a certain scene in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit": specifically, the scene in the Terminal Bar, roughly halfway through the movie, where Eddie Valiant, following his removing himself from the handcuffs courtesy of a handy saw, leaves Roger with his longtime girlfriend, Dolores, and says to her that he's returning to his office to check on something.

The next scene after this one shows Jessica Rabbit coming into Eddie's office as Eddie emerges from the bathroom, slightly wet and without wearing a shirt. And they start talking away on...

Wait! This is no time for Eddie to take a shower! Judge Doom and the Toon Patrol are onto Roger. The Hollywood hare's life is hanging in the balance, yet Eddie uses this time to take a shower? Does that make any sense?

Well, if not, there is a reason why. The original screenplay of the movie, titled "Who Shot Roger Rabbit", called for a whole day and a whole night to pass by after Eddie entrusts Roger to Dolores and before Jessica meets Eddie in his office as the latter emerges from the bathroom, presumably after taking a shower.

You know what it is? Here's a hint: part of this particular scene can be found on the 15th Anniversary DVD as a standalone bonus feature. Next time, I'll explain in full.

[pap64]

Yes, I am well aware of what you are talking about it.

Its a whole series of events involving Eddie's head turning into a pig, Acme's funeral and many other things.

Its weird that the scene got deleted, especially since it leaves an odd transition between the scene at the bar and the scene at Eddie's office.

[slave2moonlight]

The whole article can be found here: http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2006/08/30/5534.aspx.

Some movie buffs had been bothered by a certain scene in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit": specifically, the scene in the Terminal Bar, roughly halfway through the movie, where Eddie Valiant, following his removing himself from the handcuffs courtesy of a handy saw, leaves Roger with his longtime girlfriend, Dolores, and says to her that he's returning to his office to check on something.

The next scene after this one shows Jessica Rabbit coming into Eddie's office as Eddie emerges from the bathroom, slightly wet and without wearing a shirt. And they start talking away on...

Wait! This is no time for Eddie to take a shower! Judge Doom and the Toon Patrol are onto Roger. The Hollywood hare's life is hanging in the balance, yet Eddie uses this time to take a shower? Does that make any sense?

Well, if not, there is a reason why. The original screenplay of the movie, titled "Who Shot Roger Rabbit", called for a whole day and a whole night to pass by after Eddie entrusts Roger to Dolores and before Jessica meets Eddie in his office as the latter emerges from the bathroom, presumably after taking a shower.

You know what it is? Here's a hint: part of this particular scene can be found on the 15th Anniversary DVD as a standalone bonus feature. Next time, I'll explain in full.

This should be pretty much old news to everyone here since it's on the 2-disc DVD. Eddie ends up showering because the weasels painted a toon pig head onto Eddie and he uses turpentine to remove it in the shower. The sequence is also included as part of the story in the Marvel graphic novel based on the film. Great graphic novel that had a fascinating sequel book as well, "The Resurrection of Doom".

[Big Disney Fan]

You probably have heard the story, yes, I know, but here's the exact dialog for the scenes, according to a draft of this movie that I found online (dating from 1986), as written by Jeffrey Price and Peter Seaman. To find that script, go here: http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/roger-rabbit.html. Anyway, what you're about to see is the script for the exact sequence, as per said early draft of the movie:


After Eddie entrusts Roger to Dolores, he then boards a Red Car for...

EXT. FOREST LAWN CEMETERY - RED CAR STOP - DAY

A Red Car pulls up. Valiant climbs off. He calmly crosses the street and ducks behind the cemetery entranceway as Maroon's Packard ROARS through.

VALIANT: (impressed)
Love that Red Car.

As Valiant starts to walk up the hill... CUT TO:

THE ACME FUNERAL SITE - LONG SHOT - DAY

A hearse, and a line of black limos are parked in the lane. Nearby, Marvin Acne's funeral is in progress. Clustered around a gravesite are the mourners... TOONS of every stripe. There's MICKEY MOUSE comforting MINNIE. TOM AND JERRY. HECKLE AND JECKLE. CHIP 'N DALE. Everyone from the famous to the not-so-famous is in attendance. The eulogy is being delivered in a familiar blustery Southern VOICE. It's FOGHORN LEGHORN.

FOGHORN LEGHORN:
Today we commit the body of brother Acme to the cold, I say, cold, cold ground. We shed no tears for we know that Marvin is going to a better place. That high, high, I say, that high-larious place up in the sky.

Foghorn Leghorn dramatically points skyward.

TOONS: (in unison)
A-men!

NEW ANGLE - VALIANT

is leaning up against a palm tree on the hill. We have been watching the proceedings from his POV. Now he sees Maroon's car pull up. He moves around to the other side of the tree as Maroon passes and starts wending his way through the crowd.

Foghorn Leghorn nods to the funeral DIRECTOR, a pasty-faced human in a black mourning coat. The Director starts to turn the crank lowering the coffin into the grave.

FOGHORN LEGHORN:
Give us a sign, brother Herman, that you've arrived...

Much to the funeral Director's amazement, the crank starts PLINKING out the tune to "POP GOES THE WEASEL". Now the Toon mourners pick up on it and join in.

TOONS: (singing)
Round and round the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel...

The crank and SONG start going FASTER AND FASTER.

TOONS: (continuing: singing)
The monkey said it was all in fun. POP!
Goes the weasel.

Suddenly half of the lid to Acme's coffin flies open and a harlequin CLOWN BOI-YOI-YOINGS out. The funeral Director faints dead away as the Toon SOBS turn to LAUGHTER. The Toons turn and head away from the grave comforted by a funeral befitting a gag king. They climb into their cars and SCREECH off like the start of the Indy 500.

One mourner is left at the gravesite. Sitting in a chair dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief is Jessica Rabbit. Maroon walks up behind her.

MAROON:
So... trying to pull a fast one on me, huh?

Jessica turns, startled. She stands and faces Maroon.

VALIANT

smiles and leans in. This is the moment he's been waiting for. Now just as the conversation begins, it is drowned out by the NOISE from a LAWN MOWER. Valiant turns to see a GARDENER riding around on a small tractor cutting the grass. Valiant tries to flag him down as he watches Maroon and Jessica having an argument. There's accusatory finger pointing. In pantomime, Maroon gestures into his pocket as if describing the position of Acme's will.

Jessica tries to leave. He grabs her arm. They're screaming at each other but we don't hear a word. Valiant waves frantically for the Gardener to cut the machine. But the Gardener misconstrues it as a friendly greeting and waves back. Valiant turns in time to see Jessica kick Maroon in the groin and stomp off to a red Auburn Speedster. She jumps in and speeds away as Maroon staggers back to his car. The Gardener stops the tractor next to Valiant. He SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE. The cemetery is completely still again.

GARDENER:
Somethin' you want, mister?

VALIANT:
Not anymore...

EXT. INK & PAINT CLUB - ALLEY - NIGHT

A Steinway piano truck is parked next to the stage door. TWO husky PIANO MOVERS are rolling a baby grand up the ramp to the stage door. They knock on the door. The Gorilla opens it and they muscle the piano inside. After a moment, they reemerge. We FOLLOW them back to the truck where a second baby grand stands ready to be moved.

MOVER #1:
I don't know about you, but it makes me sick to think of these beautiful pianos gettin' chopped into match sticks every night by those screwy ducks.

Struggling, they push this second piano into the club.

INT. CLUB - BACKSTAGE

They roll the piano over to the wall and park it next to the first.

MOVER #2: (shakes head)
And they call it entertainment.

As they go out the stage door, MOVE IN on the baby grand.

INSIDE THE PIANO - VALIANT

is lying prone -- using the Steinway as his own Trojan Horse. He lifts the piano lid to climb out. but then HEARS FOOTSTEPS approaching. He lowers the lid again. Now someone starts testing the keys. We see the hammers strike the strings, RUNNING UP THE SCALES until they reach the one under Valiant's nose. The hammer whacks Valiant's nose on the backswing and strikes the string, making a terrible SOUR NOTE.

DONALD DUCK: (V.O.) (exasperated QUACK)
Phooey! Out of tune again!

DAFFY DUCK: (V.O.)
Not to worry, Donald. We can fix that with my sledgehammer.

DONALD DUCK: (V.O.)
Never mind, Daffy. I've got an axe in my dressing room.

Valiant's eyes widen.

ANGLE ON PIANO

as the VOICES of Daffy and Donald recede. Valiant raises the lid and quickly climbs out. He eases over to Jessica's dressing roon. As he starts to open the door, he HEARS SCUFFLING from inside. Valiant puts his ear to the door. More SCUFFLING. Valiant straightens, then suddenly whips the door open and flicks on the light.

INT. DRESSING ROOM

Nobody's there. Perplexed, Valiant closes the door behind him and checks behind the dressing screen. In the closet. No one. He shrugs and starts to search the room. He goes to Jessica's dressing table and rifles the drawers. In her purse he discovers a Toon revolver. He examines it.

VALIANT:
Girl's gotta protect herself.

Valiant puts the gun back in the purse and closes the drawer. As he stands, he pauses to consider a Hurrel-like black-and-white photo of Roger Rabbit in a silver deco frame. He's dramatically posed with a cigarette like he was Tyrone Power. Valiant shakes his head and turns from the table. Something catches his eye.

ANGLE ON FLOOR

Behind the dressing table, the corner of a piece of blue paper peeks out. Valiant stoops down and fishes it out. lt's a cover for a legal document. "Last Will and Testament -- Marvin Acme."

VALIANT

stands, pleased. He opens the blue folder. But it's empty, Valiant puts it in his inside pocket and turns to go when suddenly an unseen hand flicks the lights off.

VALIANT:
Son of a b***h...

We can't see anything in the darkness. But we hear the SOUND of A FISTFIGHT. There's the CRASHING of lamps and furniture breaking. Now the door opens for a second as the assailant escapes. Light floods in the room, illuminating Valiant on the floor with a curtain wrapped around his head. As he struggles free the door closes. The room is dark again. Valiant scrambles to the door. When he whips it open, REVEAL the Gorilla framed in the doorway. Valiant is frozen. The gorilla flicks on the light. He smiles wickedly.

GORILLA:
And here I tought we had mice.

Valiant tries to make a break for it. WHAM! The Gorilla lays him out cold with a right cross.

BLACKOUT.

FADE IN: VALIANT'S POV FROM FLOOR

As his vision comes INTO FOCUS, Valiant sees the Gorilla, Jessica Rabbit, the Weasels and Judge Doom are standing over him.

GORILLA:
...I caught him rummagin' around in here. Then I called you, Judge, on a counta you be da one we pay juice to.

DOOM: (clears throat)
You did the right thing, Bongo.

THE WEASELS

pull a groggy Valiant upright and plop him in a chair in front of Doom.

DOOM:
Being caught breaking and entering is not very good advertising for a detective. What were you looking for, Mr. Valiant?

VALIANT:
Ask her...

Valiant nods toward Jessica, who stands coolly smoking a cigarette.

JESSICA RABBIT:
Last week some heavy breather wanted one of my nylons as a souvenir. Maybe that's what he was after?

VALIANT:
Look, doll, if I wanted underwear, I woulda broken into Frederick's of Hollywood. I was lookin' for Marvin Acme's will.

DOOM:
Marvin Acme had no will. I should know, the probate is in my court.

VALIANT:
He had a will, all right. She took it off Acme the night she and R.K. Maroon knocked him off. Then she set up her loving husband to take the fall.

JESSICA RABBIT:
You, Mr. Valiant, are either drunk or punch drunk. Probably both.

DOOM:
These are bold accusations, Mr. Valiant. I hope you have some proof?

VALIANT:
I found the cover the will came in behind the dressing table.

Valiant reaches into his pocket. But the blue envelope is gone.

VALIANT: (continuing)
They must've taken it off me.

DOOM:
They?

VALIANT:
The other people who were in here lookin' for the will. I woulda caught 'em if Cheetah here hadn't interrupted me.

The Gorilla makes a move for Valiant. Doom stops him.

DOOM:
Take it easy, Bongo. We'll handle Mr. Valiant our own way... downtown.

VALIANT:
Downtown? Fine. Get a hold of Santino, I'd be more than glad to talk to him.

DOOM:
Oh, not that downtown. Toontown.

The mention of Toontown has a visible impact on Valiant.

VALIANT: (nervous)
You're not takin' me to downtown Toontown?

DOOM:
Indeed we are. We'll continue the interrogation there.

VALIANT: (very agitated)
I ain't tellin' you nothin'! Get me Santino.

DOOM:
You're a very stubborn man, Mr. Valiant. Very pig-headed. Boys, show Mr. Valiant how we handle pig-headed men at the Toontown station...

The Weasels drag Valiant out of the room...

VALIANT: (screaming)
No... you bastards! Leggo of me!

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

The Toon Control wagon streaks along with the car SIREN WAILING. It flashes by then slams on the brakes at the entrance to an eerie tunnel. A sign next to the tunnel says: "Toontown".

INT. WAGON

The Weasels look over at the bound and gagged Valiant. One of them turns Valiant's head to look at the Toontown sign.

WEASEL #1:
What're you shakin' for? Didn't you have a good time last time you were here?

With a wicked WHEEZE, the driver floors it.

EXT. TUNNEL

The wagon disappears into the murky darkness. PAN UP to the night sky.

DISSOLVE TO:

THE SKY - MORNING

PAN DOWN to the Tunnel. We can't see into the darkness but we HEAR HOOTING and HOLLERING from within, GUNS going off, FIRECRACKERS EXPLODING, WHIPS CRACKING, all accompanied by the WHEEZING LAUGHTER of the Weasels.

WEASEL #1: (O.S.)
Soo-eey! Soo-eey!

WEASEL #2: (O.S.)
Let him go, boys. I think he's got the message.

After a beat, Valiant comes staggering out of the tunnel. He's got a burlap sack over his head tied around his waist. Behind him, the Weasels emerge holding paint cans and brushes. They watch as he trips and falls by the side of the road. The Weasels GIGGLE victoriously and head back inside.

Valiant lies there for a moment, catching his breath. Then he struggles to free his hands. Finally he rips the sack off his head and sits up.

CLOSE - VALIANT

We see he's got a huge Toon pig with a goofy grin painted over his head. Valiant pulls and tugs on it, but this is a costume that won't come off. Valiant curses, gets to his feet and stumbles down the road.

EXT. RED CAR STOP

Valiant gets in the back of the line of PASSENGERS boarding the Red Car.

INT. RED CAR - VALIANT

steps aboard. The Trolleynan, who we recognize as Earl from the Terminal Bar, does a double-take when he sees the ridiculously silly looking man/Toon.

EARL:
Here's one for the books... a Toon wearin' human clothes.

VALIANT:
Earl... it's me, Valiant.

EARL:
Eddie? Jesus, what happened?

VALIANT:
Toon cops worked me over.

EARL:
Boy, I'll say. They gave you a real Toon-a-roo.

VALIANT: (apprehensively)
What am I, Earl?

Earl breaks the news to Valiant soberly.

EARL:
You're a pig... a happy-go-lucky pig.

VALIANT:
No...

EARL:
Does it hurt?

VALIANT:
Not much. It's hard to talk.

EARL:
Uh, Eddie, do me a favor. Could you sit in the back so you won't cause as much of a commotion.

Valiant tries to pull the brim of his hat down. But it's comically small on the huge head. He makes his way down the aisle past a veritable gauntlet of RAZZING, poking, tripping PASSENGERS. Finally he finds an empty seat in the back as the Red Car starts up.

A LITTLE KID

wearing a baseball cap is sitting a few seats away with his MOTHER. The Kid looks back at Eddie and laughs. He leans over and whispers something to his Mom.

KID:
Can I, Mom?

MOM:
Go ahead, darling. Take your bat.

The Kid takes his baseball bat and approaches Valiant innocently.

KID:
Hi, Mr. Pig. If I hit you on the head, will you make me a cuckoo bird?

The Kid starts to take a swing with the bat.

VALIANT:
Kid, if you hit me on the head, I'm gonna throw you out this window.

The Kid's eyes widen in terror. This is not a typical Toon response.

KID: (crying)
Mommy!

INT. VALIANT'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

We hear the SOUND of the SHOWER. Valiant's hand reaches out past the shower curtain and grabs for a bottle. But it's not shampoo. It's turpentine.

VALIANT: (O.S.)
Dammit!

CLOSE - TUB DRAlN

The water swirling down the drain is tinged with paint of different colors.

CLOSE - VALIANT

He scrubs manically until the last of the pig head is gone. He rinses off and he feels around his face. The absence of the Toon mask seems to bring him some relief. He shuts off the shower and slides the shower curtain back.

VALIANT'S POV - JESSICA RABBIT

is leaning up against the door-jamb, dressed as usual, in a black cocktail dress with elbow length gloves and pearls.

JESSICA RABBIT:
Hello, Mr. Valiant. I rang the doorbell, but I guess you couldn't hear it.

VALIANT:
That's because I don't have a doorbell.

Jessica, caught in her lie, flutters her eyelids nervously.

JESSICA RABBIT:
Oh... well, I... I just had to see you...

VALIANT:
Okay, you've seen me. Now give me a towel.

As she hands him a towel, she stares down at his anatomy.

JESSICA RABBIT:
What's that thing?

Valiant looks down at what she's referring to.

VALIANT:
Come on, lady, haven't you ever seen a mole before?

JESSICA RABBIT:
Toons aren't given imperfections.

VALIANT:
No? I guess we're not counting lying, stealing and murder.


And after that little exchange, the draft of the movie has it playing more or less the same as we see it now.

Now that you have seen the script for the entire scene, what are your opinions?

[MrIncredible]

Okay, I just finished watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and I relized that (like myself), it'll be celebrating it's 20th birthday this year. Now, does Disney have any plans on a possible new DVD and Blu-ray release of the film to celebrate coming as a last minute announcement, or is the 20th anniversary going to go away with nothing.

Now, I relized that the current Vista Series release does look and sound awesome and the bonus content is solid, so no need to upgrade what's on the disc, and the packaging is one of my personal favourites in my collection. But could they at least release it on Blu-ray? Or do we have to wait until the 25th Anniversary in 2013?

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

There was supposed to be a Blu-Ray release in Australia earlier this year. It was canceled for unstated reasons.

No current news so far.

[Barbossa]

Isn't there still some disagreements between Disney and Spielberg? That's what I heard and the reason why Roger Rabbit doesn't show up as a character at any of the theme parks anymore.

[Escapay]

The current two-disc is fine as is (edits notwithstanding), but I wouldn't mind them releasing a 20th Anniversary Edition that features the 1988 TV special ("Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon Town"), and perhaps a cast commentary with Bob Hoskins, Chrisopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer, and Joanna Cassidy.

There was supposed to be a Blu-Ray release in Australia earlier this year. It was canceled for unstated reasons.

Maybe WDSHE got smart and are going to release an unedited 20th Anniversary Edition. But it's a bit too late to announce a fall or winter release (especially with a high-profile movie like WFRR), usually they'd announce it in the late spring or early summer.

Isn't there still some disagreements between Disney and Spielberg? That's what I heard and the reason why Roger Rabbit doesn't show up as a character at any of the theme parks anymore.

IIRC, both share the copyright on the character, and any further movies or shorts would have to be agreed upon by both companies (Disney and Spielberg).

There was originally talk about a Roger Rabbit prequel in the late 90s, and it was in its development and pre-production stages. However, the cost of the test animation was higher than Disney expected/wanted, and so they opted not to make a movie after all. IIRC, the cost just for test animation was the same amount that it cost them to animate all the footage in the first movie. And since then, any development on another Roger Rabbit movie has pretty much been halted.

It would be better if one side would just licence out the rights to the other, or buy them outright. But neither side is willing to part with it (because it's a damn good character that can easily bring in a lot of money). And with Spielberg as part of DreamWorks, there's really no chance anymore of a co-production between Disney and Amblin.

Albert